IUPAT L.U. 1175, Expo, Freeman, GES, The Expo Group, Vista, McNabb and MBCC unite to rebuild skilled labor and set Miami and Miami Beach apart as a post-pandemic convention leader.
SkillBuild at the Beach: Miami Sets a New Standard for Labor Training
Miami Beach is known for sunshine and spectacle, but at the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC), owned by the City of Miami Beach and managed by Oak View Group), something quieter is shaping the city’s future: collaboration. At “SkillBuild at the Beach,” contractors, union leaders, and venue management came together not to negotiate, but to train the next wave of skilled labor.
Post-pandemic rebuilding
The idea started with a simple reality. The pandemic gutted the tradeshow workforce. Many experienced workers retired or moved on, and younger recruits needed guidance. Instead of placing blame, Miami’s contractors and labor partners chose to rebuild—together.
“Training is the foundation. Miami has the talent, and the best way to prove it is by investing our own time to bring people up to speed,” says Ricky Gilbert, director of operations at Freeman Orlando.
In contrast to cities where contractors and unions clash over jurisdiction, Miami’s approach is unified. Volunteers from Freeman, Expo Convention Contractors, GES, The Expo Group, Vista and McNabb worked side by side with members of IUPAT L.U. 1175, supported by MBCC leadership.
On the show floor, apprentices practiced marking floors, laying carpet, pipe & drape, beMatrix, material handling, safety and customer services, while supervisors rotated between stations and meeting rooms, offering tips that don’t come with the job description.
Miami’s “secret sauce”
That cooperative spirit has become what many in the room call Miami’s “secret sauce.”
“What sets Miami apart is the spirit of partnership. Contractors, the venue, and the union actually pick up the phone for each other. That’s why SkillBuild works—we’re not just talking about partnerships, we’re living them,” says JC Garcia, emeritus business representative with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades L.U. 1175 (IUPAT).
Freddie Peterson, OVG’s general manager of the MBCC, says alignment is the key to making it work.
“Our customers, and other key stakeholders trust their events are in good hands because we’re very aligned and communicate openly and responsibly, with safety and service always front of mind.” said Peterson. “Receiving the IAVM Venue Excellence Award is an honor and a testament to our amazing teamwork. It reinforces our commitment to hosting exceptional events and creating memorable experiences while generating meaningful economic and social impact for our community.”
Originally built in 1958 for $4 million, the MBCC has expanded three times, fueled by increasing interest and growth in regional, national and global meetings and conventions. Re-imagined following a $640 million renovation and expansion in 2020, the MBCC hosts approximately 600,000 guests per year attending high-profile events such as Art Basel, Miami International Boat Show, premier medical conventions such as World Health Expo (WHX) and notable events from the tech and fintech sectors such as Adobe Max, Cisco Partner Summit, SIBOS, Bitcoin, etc. The MBCC is one of the most technologically advanced convention centers and has been awarded LEED Silver Certification by the US Green Business Council. A new connected headquarter hotel, a Grand Hyatt, is under construction and slated to open in 2027. The new hotel, which is expected to attract a large number of new citywide events to the MBCC, will feature 800 guest rooms, including 52 suites, four floors of meeting and ballroom space, a rooftop pool deck, a restaurant, a bar, and retail.
Contractors buy in
For Keith Lambert, chief operating officer of Expo Convention Contractors, SkillBuild proves that collaboration beats competition when the pressure’s on.
“When you’re moving millions of pounds of freight, there’s no time to argue over rules. Training side by side builds consistency, so no matter which contractor is involved, the work gets done the right way,” Lambert says.
Edwin Belisle, vice president of national operations at GES, echoed that sentiment. “Consistent training takes friction out of the process and gives clients confidence,” he said.
Why it matters
SkillBuild isn’t a one-off. The plan is to make it an annual fixture, with future sessions including exhibitor-appointed contractors (EACs) and more specialty trades.
The union’s apprenticeship and star-credit program ties directly into the effort. Miami currently has six apprentices in the pipeline across three years of training. Members earn credits for each training session they attend, building toward graduation milestones and prize eligibility. Last year, one graduate even walked away with a $10,000 award—but the real win is steady work and a clear career path.
“This isn’t about one day of training,” Garcia says. “It’s about proving that Miami is ready for more shows, bigger shows, and that we have the workforce to deliver.”
A model for other cities
Other destinations are still struggling to rebuild their labor force post-COVID. Miami’s unified front—contractors, union, and venue working as one—is positioning the city as a model for how to retain and grow convention business.
“SkillBuild is more than training—it reflects our commitment to excellence and investment in the MBCC. Customers can trust their events will be seamless and efficient. Through the theme of one team, one voice, under one roof, we stand together—because if the back of the house isn’t right, the front won’t shine. That unity makes the MBCC standout and our destination as the right choice.”
Looking ahead
The immediate result is a stronger workforce for MBCC’s packed event calendar. Long term, SkillBuild is part of a broader strategy to develop Miami’s tradeshow labor pipeline, with more training, outreach, and retention efforts already underway.
The message to the industry is clear: Miami isn’t just back—it’s ready for what’s next.
This story originally appeared in the Q1 2026 issue of Exhibit City News, p. 68. For original layout, visit https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/exhibit_city_news_-_jan_feb_mar_2026/68.
